January 2-5 or July?

[mommato4]

We've been to DL 4 times, flown twice and driven twice. (Coming from British Columbia). All trips have been right over Christmas.
We were planning a trip for this year again. Since we drive I don't have to buy anything but the passes ahead. Luckily I haven't. A family issue has come up awe can't go over Christmas
We would have on New Years. So would be there the 2--6 I think. We know its insanely busy but cope. The only other time we could go is the beginning if July. I'm worried it will be just as insane and hot hot hot! What is everyone's experiences?

 

[rangermom]

I can't imagine that it will be busier than Christmas. I have been in July and it is busy and hot, but as always we had a blast. We are going the first week of Jan this year. I' m hoping that crowds will decrease a little after Jan 1st. We got 4 day passes. We have been a few themes on Thanksgiving week and spring break and have always seen everything we want with 4 day passes.

I think it is pretty much always "busy" at DL. We did go one year the week after thanksgiving and it was very slow. That was our first and best trip. We did not even have to get off Splash Mountain to ride again.

By going the first week in Jan you still will have Christmas decorations. I think they are up until about the 6th. If that's important to you. The Southern Cal passes are blocked for that date.

Enjoy your trip to Disney!

 

[Cinderpamela]

I would be tempted to go in Jan as it will definitely be less crowded after Jan 1st. Double check the ride closures for those dates though just to be sure its still worth it, as some major rides may be scheduled for down time.

 

[sechelt]

We've been to DL 4 times, flown twice and driven twice. (Coming from British Columbia). All trips have been right over Christmas.
We were planning a trip for this year again. Since we drive I don't have to buy anything but the passes ahead. Luckily I haven't. A family issue has come up awe can't go over Christmas
We would have on New Years. So would be there the 2--6 I think. We know its insanely busy but cope. The only other time we could go is the beginning if July. I'm worried it will be just as insane and hot hot hot! What is everyone's experiences?

PP's have already commented on DL itself so I'll mention my experience with the drive.

I know you've driven in winter before but keep in mind that the mountain passes in Northern California are unpredictable. They're much like travelling the Coquihalla in January. The roads could be clear or covered with snow and black ice.

As for July, travelling through the desert can be hot beyond description. Make sure you have a healthy car and carry lots of water. Especially pay attention to those signs and turn off your air conditioning after the desert. Nothing worse than sitting on the side of the hill with an overheated car and 4 kids. (been there)

No matter when you go, you'll have fun.

 

[mommato4]

Oh boy! We can't decide. If we go in Jan DH has to take an extra week off, July he already has it off. However we're also not big fans of heat haha.
What do you mean about turning our A/C off?

 

[coaches24]

Oh boy! We can't decide. If we go in Jan DH has to take an extra week off, July he already has it off. However we're also not big fans of heat haha.
What do you mean about turning our A/C off?

in desert areas there are signs in designated areas that ask you to turn your A/C off (I think they are generally in areas with few places to stop and that get very hot so it's not a good place to overheat). But I have found today's cars if properly maintained so not have an issue A/C or not. The A/C in today's cars (2000's or so) do not use more gas or overheat from A/C like they used to. I have driven to Phoenix several times in the last 20 years (usually in the Summer ) and never had an issue with my car overheating. My engine temp stayed the same as it does in Cali winter time when I'm driving around town. I never turn my AC off. Even in winter I end up with it on after a while when I get hot.


As for Jan or July I prefer Jan even if its a little busier (which I'm not sure it will be busier than July). The weather is nice that time of year. Rain is a possibility of course but if you plan accordingly it can become your best days when it rains and keeps many people away. I have been in July once and hated walking around in the heat (and I went to HS in Phoenix Az). I much prefer cool weather. Also for the dates you stated in Jan you still get to see the holiday decorations. For me atleast that's a big deal.

As for the grapevine in winter even if it does get snow and they close it it rarely gets closed for more than a few hours and even that's pretty rare. I've only seen snow there once and I was driving a front wheel drive Saturn with no issues. It usually isn't an issue. It takes a big storm to get that closed. Chain control may be a possibility but even that isn't all that common. It's not like going to Tahoe or Reno where chain controls or closures happen a couple times a month if not more.

When I am going that way in winter I certainly watch the weather and make sure I have a plan just in case but I have never had a problem getting through the mountains between Bakersfield and LA no matter what time of year.

 

[sechelt]

Coaches24, I was meaning the I-5 from Oregon into California. Is that where the grapevine is? Every time I've driven it there's been snow and ice in the winter. Maybe I'm just lucky. I've never been stopped but I was told it can happen.

The a/c sign is on the I-5 heading south, just as you leave the desert and climb into the hills in the direction of Castaic. Not sure what the area is called but it seems to be a hub with lots of roads converging. My car was older when it overheated but even with my new car I like to play it safe, however I never turn off the a/c while I'm still in the desert.

OP, if DH already has the time off in July, I think you should go and enjoy. It will be warmer than the Island but you'll be at Disneyland and it may not seem so bad. Hours will be longer, more attractions open, and nighttime is lovely. No jackets needed. We would go in the morning, leave at noon, and return in the evening. And remember, there's Grizzly River Run, Splash Mtn, and pools to keep cool.

 

[coaches24]

Coaches24, I was meaning the I-5 from Oregon into California. Is that where the grapevine is? Every time I've driven it there's been snow and ice in the winter. Maybe I'm just lucky. I've never been stopped but I was told it can happen.

The a/c sign is on the I-5 heading south, just as you leave the desert and climb into the hills in the direction of Castaic. Not sure what the area is called but it seems to be a hub with lots of roads converging. My car was older when it overheated but even with my new car I like to play it safe, however I never turn off the a/c while I'm still in the desert.

OP, if DH already has the time off in July, I think you should go and enjoy. It will be warmer than the Island but you'll be at Disneyland and it may not seem so bad. Hours will be longer, more attractions open, and nighttime is lovely. No jackets needed. We would go in the morning, leave at noon, and return in the evening. And remember, there's Grizzly River Run, Splash Mtn, and pools to keep cool.

no the grapevine is down by Bakersfield and does get snow here and there. Your right Oregon will have a better chance of snow on I-5 but I have never had an issue there either (only been twice in winter though). They usually do a good job keeping I -5 open throughout. It doesn't close for long when it does close.
as for ride closures there are no closures scheduled until jan 7 which would be after they leave so they will be able to ride Everytjing if they want (could be too cold for splash or Grizzly river run).

 

[tinkerbelt]

If you're driving, I would go in July. The mountain passes in southern Oregon can be really unpredictable in the winter, and even if they don't close them, the roads are still icy and can be dangerous -- I say this as an experienced snow driver, having lived in Alaska for two years, and Utah for two years, and having driven the mountain passes in both Utah and Oregon about a million times in the winter.. The Grapevine is also prone to snow and closures at that time of year, and when the Grapevine closes, it's sometimes closed for days.

Crowds the first week of January are still pretty high (parks have hit capacity that week in previous years), so you still may have decent sized crowds to deal with. The biggest pro is the weather, because it won't be as hot as July, but if you go in early to mid July, the temps will still be bearable, most likely. We don't usually get the big heat waves until the end of July or August.

 

[coaches24]

If you're driving, I would go in July. The mountain passes in southern Oregon can be really unpredictable in the winter, and even if they don't close them, the roads are still icy and can be dangerous -- I say this as an experienced snow driver, having lived in Alaska for two years, and Utah for two years, and having driven the mountain passes in both Utah and Oregon about a million times in the winter.. The Grapevine is also prone to snow and closures at that time of year, and when the Grapevine closes, it's sometimes closed for days.

Crowds the first week of January are still pretty high (parks have hit capacity that week in previous years), so you still may have decent sized crowds to deal with. The biggest pro is the weather, because it won't be as hot as July, but if you go in early to mid July, the temps will still be bearable, most likely. We don't usually get the big heat waves until the end of July or August.

I don't think either pass has closed for more than a few hours at a time in many years.

The other thing with the grapevine is that if it closes there are easy detours that you can use and it only adds about an hour or two to your drive and they don't close because they don't go through the mountains.

 

[mommato4]

I'm not too worried about the roads. We've driven twice at Christmas time. It's the crowds and heat I'm more concerned with.